Uganda confirms athletes, boxers for pan-Africa Games
Aug 18, 2003
UGANDA’S Chief de Mission to the All Africa Games, Justin Ligyalingi has confirmed that the country will only participate in two disciplines in the forthcoming showpiece scheduled for October 4-18 in Abuja, Nigeria.
By Joseph Opio
UGANDA’S Chief de Mission to the All Africa Games, Justin Ligyalingi has confirmed that the country will only participate in two disciplines in the forthcoming showpiece scheduled for October 4-18 in Abuja, Nigeria.
Speaking days after returning from a working visit to Abuja, Ligyalingi re-affirmed earlier revelations by National Council of Sports that only athletes and boxers would travel for the quadrennial games due to financial constraints.
“Ugandans will take part in just two sports disciplines, athletics and boxing since we lack the finances to send other representatives. We had tentatively stated this before, but now it is confirmed. The two disciplines are our main strengths and that’s why we’ve chosen these.â€
The games will have 23 sports disciplines up for competition.
Ligyalingi said that he had finished the accreditation process during his stay in Abuja and that only 29 names had been submitted.
He said that ten athletes, eight boxers and eleven officials are on the list but some are on standby and might not make the trip.
“We’ve six athletes with four reserves, six boxers with two reserves and officials from the ministry, NCS and Uganda Olympic Committee.â€
Sports state minister, Okello Oryem, will be the head-of-delegation for Uganda’s contingent.
Ligyalingi however disclosed that NCS would not allow any private sponsorship for various other sportsmen who might want to take part in the games at their own cost.
Uganda will have two officials including James Sekajugo, who heads the games anti-doping medical team and Salim Musoke as weightlifting judge.
UGANDA’S Chief de Mission to the All Africa Games, Justin Ligyalingi has confirmed that the country will only participate in two disciplines in the forthcoming showpiece scheduled for October 4-18 in Abuja, Nigeria.
Speaking days after returning from a working visit to Abuja, Ligyalingi re-affirmed earlier revelations by National Council of Sports that only athletes and boxers would travel for the quadrennial games due to financial constraints.
“Ugandans will take part in just two sports disciplines, athletics and boxing since we lack the finances to send other representatives. We had tentatively stated this before, but now it is confirmed. The two disciplines are our main strengths and that’s why we’ve chosen these.â€
The games will have 23 sports disciplines up for competition.
Ligyalingi said that he had finished the accreditation process during his stay in Abuja and that only 29 names had been submitted.
He said that ten athletes, eight boxers and eleven officials are on the list but some are on standby and might not make the trip.
“We’ve six athletes with four reserves, six boxers with two reserves and officials from the ministry, NCS and Uganda Olympic Committee.â€
Sports state minister, Okello Oryem, will be the head-of-delegation for Uganda’s contingent.
Ligyalingi however disclosed that NCS would not allow any private sponsorship for various other sportsmen who might want to take part in the games at their own cost.
Uganda will have two officials including James Sekajugo, who heads the games anti-doping medical team and Salim Musoke as weightlifting judge.